What Happens Next: Harry Harrison's The Hammer and The Cross Trilogy

The next installment of "What Happens Next" returns with a look at the late Harry Harrison's The Hammer and The Cross Trilogy. What happens when an English slave boy converts to an organized version of Norse paganism and bring religious tolerance and advance technology to Medieval Europe? Find out below. As always, this future is based off my own personal opinion on where I thought the author was going with his literary universe. I tried to stay as close to the author's vision and the rules established for his world. Watch out for spoilers.

The One King's reign may have been short, but its legacy has reverberated down the centuries. King Shef's rule touched off a renaissance that started in northern Europe and spread across the world. It was a renaissance not just of technology, but of ideas like toleration, liberty and freedom. Now as the year 2014 (much of the world still uses the Christian calendar) nears its end, scholars look back at how far the human race has come...and how far they still have to go.

The Empire of North, as expected, did not survive its King's mysterious disappearance after the Battle of Rome. Leaving no heirs and with the Viking kings refusing to recognize his pact with Alfred of the West Saxons, the different parts of the Empire went there separate, but peaceful, ways. Alfred became the lord of all of the British Isles while Guthmund of Sweden (sometimes called "the Greedy") eventually united all of Scandinavia under him and his heirs in a loose confederation. The former halves of the empire have remained close allies (even today) although there governments would change and sometimes whole regions would gain (and lose) independence. This cooperation was especially fruitful in the 900s with the discovery and colonization of the New World.

In contrast, Shef's rival Bruno, the short-lived Emperor of Rome, is a more controversial figure in history. Many deplore his religious zealotry and cruelty (even by 800s standards), while German nationalists credit him with creating the German state and Christians credit him with establishing the framework that eventually led to the unification of the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity (which is something the German nationalists don't brag about since their state church left the mainstream Christian church centuries ago).

Nevertheless, present day Europe still reflects the marks of both men. The British Isles are still united under the Republic of the Isles, the heirs of Alfred now living as private citizens. They are still allies with the Nordic Union, although relations remain cold with former members of the Union, Finland and Novgorod Republic. Other close allies include Normandy and the Jewish-majority state of Septimania (which doesn't always get along with the other Jewish states like the Kingdom of Khazaria or the city-state of New Zion).

While the Holy Roman Empire collapsed shortly after Bruno's death, a generation later the western German states unified after being inspired by the Emperor's belief in German supremacy. From this core group the Kingdom of Germany was created and it unified the German people (except for those odd Prussians, but they aren't considered "true" Germans anyway). Germany is one of the great powers on the continent and has worked hard to maintain that role by intervening in neighboring states to keep them small and weak (Moscow has lost count how many times it has been sacked). They have calmed down a bit recently and the King is now more of a figurehead (and tourist attraction), but old animosities die hard.

Other important states in Europe include technocratic Andalusia which still controls much of Iberia and North Africa, the Bulgar-Greco Khanate which straddles the Balkans and Asia Minor (the Armenians and Kurds split the eastern half) and Occitania, the only Cathar Christian majority state in the world (although they have communities throughout the world). Eastern Europe to the Urals are split into many different states.

The events of the renaissance in 9th century Europe can also be seen as indirectly responsible for how the rest of the world looks as well. After their attempts to invade Europe and the Middle East were rebuffed, the Tatars spent more time consolidating their Asian conquests. Today the Tatar Empire reaches across East Asia, Central Asia, Siberia, northern India and the west coast of North Thorgunland. It would probably be the world's greatest power if it had a functioning central government. The Empire is very decentralized with the electors of the Kurultai holding the real power and generally unwilling to surrender any of it to the Khan. Not only does this suit the diverse ethnic groups of the Empire just fine (especially the Nipponese who would love to break away), but also the rest of the world who feel one nation holding too much power over the other would just be a recipe for endless conflict. The Vijayanagara Empire keeps a watchful eye on their northern border, just in case the Tartars get any ideas.

There was some attempts by Europeans to colonize Africa over the centuries. British and Norse traders were some of the earliest groups to enter the market (if you don't count the Islamic Europeans, which even today people still forget). They found some African practices, like slavery, abhorrent and native Africans also distrusted the message of the Christian and Way missionaries sent to convert them. Much of Sub-Saharan Africa's history is full of wars between Europeans and natives leading well into the 16th century, with the Islamic nations to the north sending weapons to the Africans to check the expansion of the Europeans. Today all of Africa either belongs to the larger Caliphates of the north or are independent native states affiliated in some way to Kongo or Great Zimbabwe. The one exception being the small Leonese colony on the Cape.

The New World (North and South Thorgunland) is a patchwork of Norse, British, Norman, German, Leonese, Andalusia, Tartar, Srivijayan and native states, the largest being the former Norse colony of Markland. The Skrælingjar had no immunity to Old World diseases and thus there was a large death toll across the continents. Over time the Skrælingjar recovered and even adopted technology from the colonists just in time when immigration really kicked up in the mid-14th century (new advances in medical sciences had led to a population boom as more diseases were wiped out). The colonial wars dragged on to the 18th century before the Treaty of Stamford established a lasting peace by creating a council were colonial and native nations could air disputes. The spirit of the Peace of Stamford proved contagious and today the former capital of the One King serves as the site of the World Council, which acts as an assembly of nations who work together to keep the peace on Earth.

The world has known one global conflict, although you will never find it in the official record. Throughout much of the 19th century, the developed countries waged a war to eradicate the Hidden Folk (also known as trolls to the Norse). Almost every nation knew about the Hidden Folk, the physically opposing humanoid species that were experts at hiding. World nations generally enforced the ancient treaties made between them and the human communities that lived near their dens. Most scientists believe they are the descendants of an extinct species of humans, which could explain why humans can cross-breed with them, but no one has been able to confirm this theory because none of the Hidden Folk have ever stepped forward to do the extensive DNA testing necessary. Despite the long peace, the early 18th century was marked by massacres and destruction at human factories, laboratories and military bases carried out by the Hidden Folk. The usual methods of communication with the Hidden Folk only conveyed warnings that humanity needed to stop their machines or they would end up destroying the world.

Human governments covered it up (blaming it on industrial accidents and foreign sabotage) since they didn't think anyone would believe them if they blamed Sasquatch for all of their problems, but at the same time sought to eradicate the Hidden Folk menace (besides humanity was never that comfortable with living next door to a race that considered them a part of their diet). How successful humanity was depends on who you ask. Most humans never realized what was happening besides a rash of disappearances and odd military maneuvers in uninhabited wildernesses. While some Hidden Folk did die in the fighting, the ones who suffered the most were the half-breeds who were often rounded up and exterminated out of fear of them collaborating with the enemy. Only after human scientists began discovering the dangers of human caused climate change that the majority of nations realized what the Hidden Folk were getting at. The World Council stepped in and passed a series of environmental regulations that were adopted across the world and the Hidden Folk attacks ceased (now the World Council looks the other way if someone tries to cut corners and finds all their shiny new nano-factories going up in flames).

There are very few people in this world who don't believe in divine being(s), although with few exceptions (the Church of Germany, Sunni Muslims in the Arab peninsula, the Sapa veneration of the Inkas, etc.) most follow the Hundite Theory of the Divinity. Neurologists have confirmed that the human mass consciousness is powerful enough to create actual god(s) who live apart from humanity in a different realm of space/time, but can manifest their power on Earth. Those specially attuned to the god(s), the heroes and saints of history, can act as conduits for these beings and their power. Most nations keep tabs on these humans and often employ them as agents (a soldier who can bring down divine justice is quite effective weapon against a terrorist strong holds). Of course, since the god(s) take the form and personality that their believers give them, world nations fear what might happen if a truly evil god is ever created and unleashes the feared Ragnarök.

Exactly how to prevent this, no one knows, but the Svandists have an idea. Although they have rejected what another timeline would call the atheism of their founder (its hard to argue with scientific proof that gods exist), they still hold that all the god(s) are inherently evil and thus need to be wiped out. To do this they believe they must purge all fantasy from the human mind. Even realistic fiction is frowned upon by a devout Svandist. Nevertheless, most people don't take them seriously, but they certainly fear the Svandist state of Circassia. Every moment of their citizens life is regimented and controlled. Special implants given at birth gives powerful artificial intelligences the ability to access every mind and punish any fantastical thoughts. They have purge all forms of individuality and they desire to spread their philosophy across the globe. Circassia may be small, but their arsenal of weapons of mass destruction keeps some World Council members awake at night. Currently Circassian scientists are very interested in several near-Earth asteroids...

The affair of this world, however, don't concern Shef. He sits waiting on the floating platform in the equatorial Atlantic ready for his turn up the Space Graal. Although many in the world carry his popular name, he secretly knows he is the true heir of the famous Shef, a direct descendant of the One King who faked his own death to live in peace with his wife. Although his olive skin and dark hair are products of his ancestors interbreeding with the people of the Emirate of Sicily, his blue eyes betray his Norse heritage. Like his ancestors, however, Shef is about to go on a great voyage into the stars. Ever since the secrets of faster-than-light travel was discovered, humanity has been expanding across the stars in an ever widening sphere. Shef, leaving his Earth-bound troubles behind, is seeking a new life on a distant globe just recently settle by Man.

Unbeknownst to him, someone (or something) in its little pocket of space/time has taken a shining for this new Shef. He/she/it (it has many names and forms, depending on who is praying to it) has plans for him and it could shake the very foundations of human civilization...

Which work of alternate history would you like to see me do next? Let me know in the comments.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

The Turn of a Blade: Alternate Medieval Histories

Guest post by Andrew Knighton.

The Middle Ages are relatively poorly served by alternate history. The recent past is so prominent in our minds, its impact so clear, that it is the natural jumping off point for speculation. It can also be easier to imagine a past only recently changed - the consequences have had less time to ripple out, and so similarities are more justified.

But this makes speculation about medieval tipping points all the more fascinating. How different might our world be if it had been changed not decades but centuries ago?

The Empire of the World: Islam pushes past Poitiers

The Battle of Poitiers (732) saw the furthest advance of the forces of Islam into Western Europe. A Muslim army under the incredibly capable Abd Al-Rahman faced a Frankish force under the equally formidable Charles Martel. Evenly matched in both numbers and leadership, the two forces fought on and off for seven days before Abd Al-Rahman’s death led the Islamic forces to retreat.

Poitiers set the limits on Muslim expansion in Europe, and led to the rise of a great Frankish empire under Charles Martel’s grandson, known to history as Charlemagne. But what if Charles rather than Al-Rahman had died at Poitiers, the Frankish troops becoming the ones to retreat?

As Barry S Strauss explored in a chapter of Robert Cowley’s What If?, this could have led to a very different Europe. The Caliphate established in Spain, emboldened by this success, could have expanded through France and across Western Europe, unhindered by the divided native princes. Given the success of Muslim civilisation in Spain, the Europe that followed would have been a far more pleasant place - its architecture more open, its farms more productive, its scholars rediscovering Greek classics two centuries earlier.

An Islamic Europe could also have meant an Islamic America, as Europeans took their religion across the Atlantic. Christianity would have continued, like Judaism, as a minority choice within a culture tolerant of the other Abrahamic faiths.

Strauss ends by saying that this Islamic Europe might not have developed the democratic and mercantile ideas that led to the Renaissance and Enlightenment, with all the discoveries they brought. But equally, given the deeply undemocratic nature of medieval European states, it could be argued that these developments would have come sooner under Islam.

Either way, we see a very different Europe.

A North Sea empire: Cnut’s inheritance remains united

Cnut the Great of Denmark, often referred to in English as Canute, was one of the great successes of the 11th century. King of Denmark and England, he briefly controlled Norway and dominated other kings throughout Scandinavia and the British Isles.

On Cnut’s death in 1035 his son Harthacnut inherited Denmark. But Harthacnut, unlike Cnut, had spent most of the preceding years in Denmark, and the English did not accept his rule. Instead another son, Harold Harefoot, took control of England.

Though reunited for a while by Harthacnut, Cnut’s empire of the North Sea was never able to stabilise, and it soon collapsed. But what if it had remained together from the start? What if a single son had inherited both England and Denmark, leaving him with the resources to turn once more to the task of conquering Norway?

It’s possible to imagine all sorts of differences and similarities between the ensuing North Sea Empire and the kingdoms that instead took its place. Built around the sea lanes, it could have become a great naval and trading power. Dominated by the Vikings, England would never have developed the close ties with France that followed the Norman Conquest, and Scandinavia would have played a far larger part in shaping Europe’s culture and politics.

Two wars transformed: the Black Prince lives

Edward of Woodstock, later labelled the Black Prince, was the eldest son and heir of Edward III. A charismatic and successful military leader, the prince played a major role in the Hundred Years War between England and France, governing the English-held region of Aquitaine and leading the English to victory at another Battle of Poitiers (1356). His potential to be a great king was cut short when he died of dysentery in June 1376, a year before his father. The Black Prince’s ten-year-old son instead inherited the throne as Richard II.

It is easy to romanticise the Black Prince, given that he never became king and so did not mar his chivalric image with real political failures. But if we allow ourselves to go with the romanticised image, to imagine the success he could have been, then we see a very different fate for England and France. With Edward’s strong leadership and base in France he could have led the English to further success in the Hundred Years War, consolidating a cross-Channel  kingdom rather than letting the French territories slip through his fingers. And without Richard II’s overthrow in 1399, the seeds would not be sewn for the Wars of the Roses that tore England apart in the later 15th century. The result could have been a stable and united Kingdom of England and France, dominating Europe and transforming its politics.

The potential of a dark age

It’s easy to forget the Middle Ages when inventing alternate histories. But as these three examples show, the period is full of fascinating potential.

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Andrew is a freelance writer based in Stockport, England, where the grey skies provide a good motive to stay inside at the word processor. His collection of history and alternate history stories, From a Foreign Shore, is available through Amazon and Smashwords. He blogs about books, film, TV and writing at andrewknighton.com and can be found on Twitter as @gibbondemon.

Paradox announces Crusader Kings II: The Republic expansion and March of Eagles trailer

I am big fan of Paradox games. Most alternate history games out there are mediocre in their storytelling, but the Paradox grand strategy games give you the opportunity to play out your own scenarios. So with that said, here is some news on upcoming titles:

Capitalism Reigns as Crusader Kings II: The Republic Expansion is Announced 

Not of royal blood? Not a problem! Money-making merchants are the order of the day as Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studios today announced Crusader Kings II: The Republic expansion. The great medieval mercantile republics are given the (trade) stamp of approval in the third expansion of the critically acclaimed Strategy/RPG Crusader Kings II.

Trade trumps bloodline in this latest expansion, as players will experience a whole new style of game based on playing as the head of a Patrician family of in one of the great Merchant Republics. Take control of the seas to expand and defend your trading empire, survive feuds with rival families and and plot to seize their Trade Posts.

Crusader Kings II: The Republic introduces a silk route’s wealth of new features, including lobbying to become Doge, where investing money in the campaign coffers will make up for lack of family ties and prestige. Cold hard cash is king here, may the richest man win!

Crusader Kings II: The Republic expansion will release in Q1 2013 on all major digital download portals for $9.99 USD. Here are few things you can expect from the new expansion:

• Experience a new and different type of game by playing as one of the great merchant republics of Venice, Genoa, Pisa, the Hanseatic League or Gotland.
• As the head of a Patrician family, you must guide your Republican dynasty through fortune and misfortune in a world dominated by kings and emperors.
• Build Trade Posts and expand your mercantile empire by controlling the sea lanes and coasts of Europe... and defend it against rival Patricians, Republics and greedy feudal lords.
• Improve your trade posts and your prestigious family palace with dozens of unique new buildings.
• Compete in the Doge elections, compensating for lack of age and prestige by investing money in your campaign fund.
• Survive feuds with other Patrician families and plot to seize trade posts from your rivals; new plot and many special events for characters in the Republics.
• New Republican skin for the interface.
• Unique clothes and ship models for Republics.

March of the Eagles Live Gameplay Trailer Released 

Raise the regimental banner and beat the drums of war, because the holiday season is coming fast upon us and it is time to think about the important people in our lives. Our comrades in arms. Our commanders. Our Emperor. And hey, if you don’t have an emperor yet, you can become one!

Be sure to view the new March of the Eagles trailer, the war-focused strategy game from Paradox Development Studios and Paradox Interactive. Read the development diary to learn more about the game or watch the Napoleonic Era spring to bloody life in the new March of the Eagles trailer:

On Thursday, December 13 at 7 p.m. GMT / 11 a.m. PST, Chris King, Game Designer at Paradox Development Studio will stream live game footage on the official Paradox Twitch TV channel. This is a chance for you to see what the premier developer of historical strategy games has in store for you early next year.

March of the Eagles is a strategy wargame set in the turbulent Napoleonic Wars. You can lead any of dozens of European powers in a quest to establish yourself as the most dominant power on land and sea. Take control of any one nation of Europe in this geopolitical barfight, dispatch armies and envoys, raid supply lines, form coalitions and get with the times, already.

He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat. You keep that in mind, because the March of the Eagles will be advancing on all fronts in Q1 2013 on all major digital download portals.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a volunteer editor for Alt Hist magazine. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly and The Were-Traveler. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.